Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday criticised political parties for allegedly maligning the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying such actions were neither in the country’s interest nor good for democracy. Former Vice President M.
Naidu’s remarks came as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) prepared to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration was also aimed at raising allegations of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and claims of “vote theft”.
He stressed that political parties had a responsibility to check voter lists and report discrepancies. “Of course, different parties have made these allegations at different times. We had elections in Bihar. Not even one voter has complained that his name has been deleted. Not even one. The experience shows. You have got a right to appeal further. But it is basically the duty of political parties and their agents and workers to go door to door, verify the voters’ list, complain if there are discrepancies, omissions or deletions, or if there is a need for additions. It is the duty of political parties to get it done,” he added. “I have gone through this political system. The Indian electoral system is the best system. Singling out the Election Commission for everything is not good. The Election Commission has made a statement that all decisions are taken jointly. There may be differences of opinion sometimes. But in the end, the decisions are taken collectively.
Referring to the recent elections in Bihar, the former Vice President said no voter had complained to him about their name being deleted from the electoral rolls. So, that being the case, singling out one person and then maligning him is not fair,” he said.
“I feel that the way some people are trying to malign the Election Commission is not good and is not in the interest of the country or democracy. The Election Commission is a statutory body. “I personally feel the Election Commission is doing a good job. Indian elections are the largest exercise in the world. People praise the Indian electoral system. Our Election Commissions have also earned such a good name. If there is something wrong, that can be discussed. But maligning an institution, that is, a constitutional body, is not fair. If they win an election, the Election Commission is good. If they lose an election, EVMs are bad, defective and pro-government.
There are ways and means to even impeach the Election Commissioner, but accusing him, abusing him, dragging his name into controversies, and then demanding his resignation through public rallies is not fair,” Naidu said. This sort of allegations are not fair,” he said.
